Cal Tjader

Cal Tjader was undoubtedly the most famous non-Latino leader of Latin jazz bands, an extraordinary distinction. From the 1950s until his death, he was practically the point man between the worlds of Latin jazz and mainstream bop; his light, rhythmic, joyous vibraphone manner could comfortably embrace both styles. His numerous recordings for Fantasy and Verve and long-standing presence in the San Francisco Bay Area eventually had a profound influence upon Carlos Santana, and thus Latin rock. He also played drums and bongos, the latter most notably on the George Shearing Quintet's puckishly titled "Rap Your Troubles in Drums," and would occasionally sit in on piano as well.

Tjader studied music and education at San Francisco State College before hooking up with fellow Bay Area resident Dave Brubeck as the drummer in the Brubeck Trio from 1949 to 1951. He then worked with Alvino Rey, led his own group, and in 1953, joined George Shearing's then hugely popular quintet as a vibraphonist and percussionist. It was in Shearing's band that Tjader's love affair with Latin music began, ignited by Shearing's bassist Al McKibbon, nurtured by contact with Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, and Armando Peraza, and galvanized by the '50s mambo craze. When he left Shearing the following year, Tjader promptly formed his own band that emphasized the Latin element yet also played mainstream jazz. Bobo and Santamaria eventually joined Tjader's band as sidemen, and Vince Guaraldi served for a while as pianist and contributor to the band's songbook ("Ginza," "Thinking of You, MJQ"). Tjader recorded a long series of mostly Latin jazz albums for Fantasy from the mid-'50s through the early '60s, switching in 1961 to Verve, where under Creed Taylor's aegis he expanded his stylistic palette and was teamed with artists like Lalo Schifrin, Anita O'Day, Kenny Burrell, and Donald Byrd. Along the way, Tjader managed to score a minor hit in 1965 with "Soul Sauce," a reworking of Dizzy Gillespie/Chano Pozo's "Guacha Guaro," which Tjader had previously cut for Fantasy. Tjader returned to Fantasy in the 1970s, then in 1979 moved over to the new Concord Picante label, where he remained until his death. ~ Richard S. Ginell

My dad Eddie Coleman played bass on his album Concert on Campus. He toured with Cal for many years, and has wonderful stories of their adventures. Cal was a wonderful man, and dad never has ever had anything but great things to say about him. He and my mom named me after their great friend Calen Tjader - My name is Callan Coleman. I am very honored to share the name with such a great musician and innovator.

I remember the first time I heard cal tjader. it was 1969 and my girl friend at the time was in the high school band in concord, ca. the band instructor - durf the surf, do you remember him? - was taking the band to a jazz concert in nearby pittsburg. they took me along, and that my friends, was the first time I heard live jazz.

The great Cal Tjader; Picadillo is it - learned to dance to that song. If you can dance to Picadillo you can dance to anything ......

7 months ago

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obp6614cr

, I suddenly feel jaded once in 1972 I have a picture of him and I and the strange unknown woman. It was in Queens at some bar and they selling between Ian and I have been the following of him for years he's the best. Died in the Philippines in 1983 04 at the age of 53 for a massive heart attack.

I learned all my conga drum moves listening to his music. He is the musical light shining through my life. From day one he enchanted me. He created worlds of magic and fantasy. I so enjoyed reading all comments here. So many of you have the same love of Cal Tjader and his music as I.

I first heard/saw Cal Tjader at the Monterey Jazz Festival in '59 or '60, memory is a little fuzzy on that ! Have held in very high regard his Latin as well as the standards that he'd played over the years. I used to have all of his Fantasy LP's, one of which is Soul Sauce and it was a green album in color ! One of my favorite tracks of his all time is: Guacha Guaro or Soul Sauce. Then there's Doxie and Walkin' With Wally that was played every nite on KJAZ in Alameda, CA in the 1960's.

3 years ago

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fishpapa

who plays flute on the track Speak Low? - the live Cal Tjader album?

3 years ago

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haroldmcburney

People say this is Mongo Santamaria's bio? Explain the first sentence:' Cal Tjader was undoubtedly the most famous NON-LATINO leader of Latin jazz bands... What is the non-Latino name? Mongo, or Santamaria?? :)

I think it is sooooo f'n DOPE that Will Farrel found a way to play Cal Tjader in The Campaign, in the scene where he seduced Marty Huggins' ladymate.....he even expained to her about Cal Tjader!!! Soul Burst & Plugs In are my favorite L.P's off his work!!!!

It was this great jazz treasure, Cal Tjader, who playing with the Dave Brubeck Trio (!) on the radio turned me on to jazz while visiting my dad in San Francisco, circa 1951-2, the tune was How High The Moon - I still play it and have loved all his latin stuff since. Ah, music, especially this, is love..........

When I was in law school in the late 60's I saw CTjader when he played a gig at a place called The Manor on Northern Blvd in Queens, N.Y. ...what a memory...not only did I listen to him but I was able to dance to his music. I also was able to speak with him during one of his breaks and he impressed me as a genuinely friendly and nice person. His arrangements are timeless.Ramon

No one does it like Tjader, hell... the guy rolled with Santamaria, an idol in his own right. who wouldve guessed the xylophone could be on the same blissful league as a steel drum or a thrashing guitar solo? everyone my age needs to start listening to Tjader. now that's real swag

4 years ago

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ladyfox411

I remember listening to this with my mom as a little girl. This brings back really special memories.

Listening to Curacao, written by the late Clare Fischer I believe. Cal was the original drummer with Dave Brubeck. I got to see a reunion of that trio in San Francisco in the 80's. I saw Cal many times, with Lonnie Hewitt (a great player in his own right), and with my buddy Harold 'Ratzo' Harris who played bass with him for a stretch in the 70's. Cal was understated in his playing but it is so smooth, so soothing, it conjures up tropical breezes, pina coladas, and Latin atmosphere. Love it.